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Selected Verse: John 1:5 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Joh 1:5 |
Strong Concordance |
And [2532] the light [5457] shineth [5316] in [1722] darkness [4653]; and [2532] the darkness [4653] comprehended [2638] it [846] not [3756]. |
| |
King James |
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
shineth in darkness, &c.--in this dark, fallen world, or in mankind "sitting in darkness and the shadow of death," with no ability to find the way either of truth or of holiness. In this thick darkness, and consequent intellectual and moral obliquity, "the light of the Word" shineth--by all the rays whether of natural or revealed teaching which men (apart from the Incarnation of the Word) are favored with.
the darkness comprehended it not--did not take it in, a brief summary of the effect of all the strivings of this unincarnate Word throughout this wide world from the beginning, and a hint of the necessity of His putting on flesh, if any recovery of men was to be effected (Co1 1:21). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
The light shineth in darkness - Darkness, in the Bible, commonly denotes ignorance, guilt, or misery. See Isa 9:1-2; Mat 4:16; Act 26:18; Eph 5:8, Eph 5:11; Rom 13:12. It refers here to a wicked and ignorant people. When it is said that "the light shineth in darkness," it is meant that the Lord Jesus came to teach an ignorant, benighted, and wicked world. This has always been the case. It was so when he sent his prophets; so during his own ministry; and so in every age since. His efforts to enlighten and save men have been like light struggling to penetrate a thick, dense cloud; and though a few rays may pierce the gloom, yet the great mass is still an impenetrable shade.
Comprehended it not - This word means "admitted" it not, or "received" it not. The word "comprehend," with us, means to "understand." This is not the meaning of the original. The darkness did not "receive" or "admit" the rays of light; the shades were so thick that the light could not penetrate them; or, to drop the figure, men were so ignorant, so guilty, so debased, that they did not appreciate the value of his instructions; they despised and rejected him. And so it is still. The great mass of men, sunk in sin, will not receive his teachings, and be enlightened and saved by him. Sin always blinds the mind to the beauty and excellency of the character of the Lord Jesus. It indisposes the mind to receive his instructions, just as "darkness" has no affinity for "light;" and if the one exists, the other must be displaced. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
comprehended
Or, apprehended; literally, "laid not hold of it." |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Shineth (φαίσει)
Note the present tense, indicating not merely the present point of time, but that the light has gone forth continuously and without interruption from the beginning until now, and is still shining. Hence φαίνει, shineth, denoting the peculiar property of light under all circumstances, and not φωτίζει, lighteneth or illuminateth, as in Joh 1:9. The shining does not always illuminate. Compare Jo1 2:8.
In the darkness (ἐν τῇ σκοτίᾳ)
Σκοτία, darkness, is a word peculiar to later Greek, and used in the New Testament almost exclusively by John. It occurs once in Mat 10:27, and once in Luk 12:3. The more common New Testament word is σκότος, from the same root, which appears in σκιά, shadow, and σκηνή, tent. Another word for darkness, ζόφος, occurs only in Peter and Jude (Pe2 2:4, Pe2 2:17; Jde 1:6, Jde 1:13). See on Pe2 2:4. The two words are combined in the phrase blackness of darkness (Pe2 2:17; Jde 1:13). In classical Greek σκότος, as distinguished from ζόφος, is the stronger term, denoting the condition of darkness as opposed to light in nature. Hence of death, of the condition before birth; of night. Ζόφος, which is mainly a poetical term, signifies gloom, half-darkness, nebulousness. Here the stronger word is used. The darkness of sin is deep. The moral condition which opposes itself to divine light is utterly dark. The very light that is in it is darkness. Its condition is the opposite of that happy state of humanity indicated in Joh 1:4, when the life was the light of men; it is a condition in which mankind has become the prey of falsehood, folly and sin. Compare Jo1 1:9-10. Rom 1:21, Rom 1:22.
Comprehended (κατέλαβεν)
Rev., apprehended. Wyc., took not it. See on Mar 9:18; see on Act 4:13. Comprehended, in the sense of the A.V., understood, is inadmissible. This meaning would require the middle voice of the verb (see Act 4:13; Act 10:34; Act 25:25). The Rev., apprehended, i.e., grasped or seized, gives the correct idea, which appears in Joh 12:35, "lest darkness come upon you," i.e., overtake and seize. The word is used in the sense of laying hold of so as to make one's own; hence, to take possession of. Used of obtaining the prize in the games (Co1 9:24); of attaining righteousness (Rom 9:30); of a demon taking possession of a man (Mar 9:18); of the day of the Lord overtaking one as a thief (Th1 5:4). Applied to darkness, this idea includes that of eclipsing or overwhelming. Hence some render overcame (Westcott, Moulton). John's thought is, that in the struggle between light and darkness, light was victorious. The darkness did not appropriate the light and eclipse it. "The whole phrase is indeed a startling paradox. The light does not banish the darkness; the darkness does not overpower the light. Light and darkness coexist in the world side by side" (Westcott). |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| And the light shineth in darkness - Shines even on fallen man; but the darkness - Dark, sinful man, perceiveth it not. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
And the light shineth in darkness - By darkness here may be understood:
1. The heathen world, Eph 5:8.
2. The Jewish people.
3. The fallen spirit of man.
Comprehended it not - Αυτο ου κατελαβεν, Prevented it not - hindered it not, says Mr. Wakefield, who adds the following judicious note: - "Even in the midst of that darkness of ignorance and idolatry which overspread the world, this light of Divine wisdom was not totally eclipsed: the Jewish nation was a lamp perpetually shining to the surrounding nations; and many bright luminaries, among the heathen, were never wanting in just and worthy notions of the attributes and providence of God's wisdom; which enabled them to shine in some degree, though but as lights in a dark place, Pe2 1:19. Compare Act 14:17; Act 17:28, Act 17:29." |
21 For [1063] after [1894] that in [1722] the wisdom [4678] of God [2316] the world [2889] by [1223] wisdom [4678] knew [1097] not [3756] God [2316], it pleased [2106] God [2316] by [1223] the foolishness [3472] of preaching [2782] to save [4982] them that believe [4100].
12 The night [3571] is far spent [4298], [1161] the day [2250] is at hand [1448]: let us [659] therefore [3767] cast off [659] the works [2041] of darkness [4655], and [2532] let us put on [1746] the armour [3696] of light [5457].
11 And [2532] have [4790] no [3361] fellowship [4790] with the unfruitful [175] works [2041] of darkness [4655], but [1161] rather [3123] [2532] reprove [1651] them.
8 For [1063] ye were [2258] sometimes [4218] darkness [4655], but [1161] now [3568] are ye light [5457] in [1722] the Lord [2962]: walk [4043] as [5613] children [5043] of light [5457]:
18 To open [455] their [846] eyes [3788], and to turn [1994] them from [575] darkness [4655] to [1519] light [5457], and [2532] from the power [1849] of Satan [4567] unto [1909] God [2316], that they [846] may receive [2983] forgiveness [859] of sins [266], and [2532] inheritance [2819] among [1722] them which are sanctified [37] by faith [4102] that is in [1519] me [1691].
16 The people [2992] which [3588] sat [2521] in [1722] darkness [4655] saw [1492] great [3173] light [5457]; and [2532] to them which [3588] sat [2521] in [1722] the region [5561] and [2532] shadow [4639] of death [2288] light [5457] is sprung up [393] [846].
1 Nevertheless the dimness [04155] shall not be such as was in her vexation [04164], when [06256] at the first [07223] he lightly afflicted [07043] the land [0776] of Zebulun [02074] and the land [0776] of Naphtali [05321], and afterward [0314] did more grievously afflict [03513] her by the way [01870] of the sea [03220], beyond [05676] Jordan [03383], in Galilee [01551] of the nations [01471].
2 The people [05971] that walked [01980] in darkness [02822] have seen [07200] a great [01419] light [0216]: they that dwell [03427] in the land [0776] of the shadow of death [06757], upon them hath the light [0216] shined [05050].
4 But [1161] ye [5210], brethren [80], are [2075] not [3756] in [1722] darkness [4655], that [2443] that day [2250] should overtake [2638] you [5209] as [5613] a thief [2812].
18 And [2532] wheresoever [3699] [302] he taketh [2638] him [846], he teareth [4486] him [846]: and [2532] he foameth [875], and [2532] gnasheth [5149] with his [846] teeth [3599], and [2532] pineth away [3583]: and [2532] I spake [2036] to thy [4675] disciples [3101] that [2443] they should cast [1544] him [846] out [1544]; and [2532] they could [2480] not [3756].
30 What [5101] shall we say [2046] then [3767]? That [3754] the Gentiles [1484], which [3588] followed [1377] not [3361] after righteousness [1343], have attained [2638] to righteousness [1343], even [1161] the righteousness [1343] which [3588] is of [1537] faith [4102].
24 Know ye [1492] not [3756] that [3754] they which run [5143] in [1722] a race [4712] run [5143] all [3956] [3303], but [1161] one [1520] receiveth [2983] the prize [1017]? So [3779] run [5143], that [2443] ye may obtain [2638].
35 Then [3767] Jesus [2424] said [2036] unto them [846], Yet [2089] a little [3398] while [5550] is [2076] the light [5457] with [3326] you [5216]. Walk [4043] while [2193] ye have [2192] the light [5457], lest [3363] darkness [4653] come upon [2638] you [5209]: for [2532] he that walketh [4043] in [1722] darkness [4653] knoweth [1492] not [3756] whither [4226] he goeth [5217].
25 But [1161] when I [1473] found [2638] that he [846] had committed [4238] nothing [3367] worthy [514] of death [2288], and [2532] [1161] that he himself [846] hath appealed [5127] to [1941] Augustus [4575], I have determined [2919] to send [3992] him [846].
34 Then [1161] Peter [4074] opened [455] his mouth [4750], and said [2036], Of [1909] a truth [225] I perceive [2638] that [3754] God [2316] is [2076] no [3756] respecter of persons [4381]:
13 Now [1161] when they saw [2334] the boldness [3954] of Peter [4074] and [2532] John [2491], and [2532] perceived [2638] that [3754] they were [1526] unlearned [62] and [2532] ignorant [2399] men [444], they marvelled [2296]; and [5037] they took knowledge [1921] of them [846], that [3754] they had been [2258] with [4862] Jesus [2424].
13 Now [1161] when they saw [2334] the boldness [3954] of Peter [4074] and [2532] John [2491], and [2532] perceived [2638] that [3754] they were [1526] unlearned [62] and [2532] ignorant [2399] men [444], they marvelled [2296]; and [5037] they took knowledge [1921] of them [846], that [3754] they had been [2258] with [4862] Jesus [2424].
18 And [2532] wheresoever [3699] [302] he taketh [2638] him [846], he teareth [4486] him [846]: and [2532] he foameth [875], and [2532] gnasheth [5149] with his [846] teeth [3599], and [2532] pineth away [3583]: and [2532] I spake [2036] to thy [4675] disciples [3101] that [2443] they should cast [1544] him [846] out [1544]; and [2532] they could [2480] not [3756].
22 Professing themselves [5335] to be [1511] wise [4680], they became fools [3471],
21 Because [1360] that, when they knew [1097] God [2316], they glorified [1392] him not [3756] as [5613] God [2316], neither [2228] were thankful [2168]; but [235] became vain [3154] in [1722] their [846] imaginations [1261], and [2532] their [846] foolish [801] heart [2588] was darkened [4654].
9 If [1437] we confess [3670] our [2257] sins [266], he is [2076] faithful [4103] and [2532] just [1342] to [2443] forgive [863] us [2254] our sins [266], and [2532] to cleanse [2511] us [2248] from [575] all [3956] unrighteousness [93].
10 If [1437] we say [2036] that [3754] we have [264] not [3756] sinned [264], we make [4160] him [846] a liar [5583], and [2532] his [846] word [3056] is [2076] not [3756] in [1722] us [2254].
4 In [1722] him [846] was [2258] life [2222]; and [2532] the life [2222] was [2258] the light [5457] of men [444].
13 Raging [66] waves [2949] of the sea [2281], foaming out [1890] their own [1438] shame [152]; wandering [4107] stars [792], to whom [3739] is reserved [5083] the blackness [2217] of darkness [4655] for [1519] ever [165].
17 These [3778] are [1526] wells [4077] without water [504], clouds [3507] that are carried [1643] with [5259] a tempest [2978]; to whom [3739] the mist [2217] of darkness [4655] is reserved [5083] for [1519] ever [165].
4 For [1063] if [1487] God [2316] spared [5339] not [3756] the angels [32] that sinned [264], but [235] cast them down to hell [5020], and delivered [3860] them into chains [4577] of darkness [2217], to be reserved [5083] unto [1519] judgment [2920];
13 Raging [66] waves [2949] of the sea [2281], foaming out [1890] their own [1438] shame [152]; wandering [4107] stars [792], to whom [3739] is reserved [5083] the blackness [2217] of darkness [4655] for [1519] ever [165].
6 And [5037] the angels [32] which kept [5083] not [3361] their [1438] first estate [746], but [235] left [620] their own [2398] habitation [3613], he hath reserved [5083] in everlasting [126] chains [1199] under [5259] darkness [2217] unto [1519] the judgment [2920] of the great [3173] day [2250].
17 These [3778] are [1526] wells [4077] without water [504], clouds [3507] that are carried [1643] with [5259] a tempest [2978]; to whom [3739] the mist [2217] of darkness [4655] is reserved [5083] for [1519] ever [165].
4 For [1063] if [1487] God [2316] spared [5339] not [3756] the angels [32] that sinned [264], but [235] cast them down to hell [5020], and delivered [3860] them into chains [4577] of darkness [2217], to be reserved [5083] unto [1519] judgment [2920];
3 Therefore [473] [3739] whatsoever [3745] ye have spoken [2036] in [1722] darkness [4653] shall be heard [191] in [1722] the light [5457]; and [2532] that which [3739] ye have spoken [2980] in [4314] the ear [3775] in [1722] closets [5009] shall be proclaimed [2784] upon [1909] the housetops [1430].
27 What [3739] I tell [3004] you [5213] in [1722] darkness [4653], that speak ye [2036] in [1722] light [5457]: and [2532] what [3739] ye hear [191] in [1519] the ear [3775], that preach ye [2784] upon [1909] the housetops [1430].
8 Again [3825], a new [2537] commandment [1785] I write [1125] unto you [5213], which thing [3739] is [2076] true [227] in [1722] him [846] and [2532] in [1722] you [5213]: because [3754] the darkness [4653] is past [3855], and [2532] the true [228] light [5457] now [2235] shineth [5316].
9 That was [2258] the true [228] Light [5457], which [3739] lighteth [5461] every man [3956] [444] that cometh [2064] into [1519] the world [2889].
29 Forasmuch then [3767] as we are [5225] the offspring [1085] of God [2316], we ought [3784] not [3756] to think [3543] that the Godhead [2304] is [1511] like [3664] unto gold [5557], or [2228] silver [696], or [2228] stone [3037], graven [5480] by art [5078] and [2532] man's [444] device [1761].
28 For [1063] in [1722] him [846] we live [2198], and [2532] move [2795], and [2532] have our being [2070]; as [5613] certain [5100] also [2532] of your [5209] own [2596] poets [4163] have said [2046], For [1063] we are [2070] also [2532] his [5120] offspring [1085].
17 Nevertheless [2544] [2532] he left [863] not [3756] himself [1438] without witness [267], in that he did good [15], and gave [1325] us [2254] rain [5205] from heaven [3771], and [2532] fruitful [2593] seasons [2540], filling [1705] our [2257] hearts [2588] with food [5160] and [2532] gladness [2167].
19 We have [2192] also [2532] a more sure [949] word [3056] of prophecy [4397]; whereunto [3739] ye do [4160] well [2573] that ye take heed [4337], as [5613] unto a light [3088] that shineth [5316] in [1722] a dark [850] place [5117], until [2193] [3739] the day [2250] dawn [1306], and [2532] the day star [5459] arise [393] in [1722] your [5216] hearts [2588]:
8 For [1063] ye were [2258] sometimes [4218] darkness [4655], but [1161] now [3568] are ye light [5457] in [1722] the Lord [2962]: walk [4043] as [5613] children [5043] of light [5457]: